Posted by: dolcedebbie in MyBlog on Apr 21, 2009
Well, as this past Friday was getting closer I was still trying to determine how I was going to explain my menu that I had planned to demonstrate for my class that I was teaching at the Rolling Pin. For those of you who know me well, you know it’s a very rare occasion that I am without words, but I was beginning to become somewhat anxious about how I was going to explain the menu and what drove my choices; if I didn’t know why I had chosen the menu how was I going to create excitement with my guests?
I had chosen the dishes months ago in a manic state trying to meet deadlines and then after submitting them, promptly discarded it from memory, so the first thing was to revisit the dishes, if for no other reason but to refresh myself of what I was preparing.
First plate, insalata di tartufo bianco (White Truffle Salad)
Entrée, Filetto di Manzo con Vino Rosso (Beef Tenderloin with Red Wine Reduction)
Side Dish, Puree di Patate con tartufo bianco (Mashed Potatoes with White Truffle)
Side Dish, Spinachi con aglio e olio (Sautéed Spinach with Garlic and Olive Oil)
Dessert, Tartufo di Cioccolato e Peperoncino (Chocolate and Chili Pepper Truffle)
Well, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see what the theme is here, TRUFFLES. Now, I know I’m really going to get flack for this next statement, but, I DON”T LIKE TRUFFLES! So, why on earth would I create a menu based on using so much of an ingredient that I don’t care for? And then it hit me, I am missing not only Italy, but specifically, Piemonte, or in the states we refer to it as Piedmont. The capital of the Slow Food Movement, it has also been said that it is now the gastronomical capital taking the prestigious title from the well known region of Emiglio Romano. We (Savory Adventures) do at least one trip a year to this spectacular region which revolves around the white truffle season and of course the fabulous wines produced there. And well, it’s been 6 months since my last trip there and, I’m overdue for a fix of my second favorite place on earth, second of course to Venezia (Venice, Italy).
So, once the light bulb went off in my head, it was so easy during Friday night’s class. And yes, everyone was excited, and they learned that they loved truffles. Both the white, black and of course the chocolate kinds! So fun to introduce people to new things, next step, y’all come join me on a real truffle hunt in Piemonte at dawn, followed of course with a caffe correcto, Dolce Debbie’s favorite beverage! That of course is another blog. But for now I will close with one of the biggest hits of the evening, my Filetto di Manzo con Vino Rosso. (Click here for the recipe)
buon appetito - Debbie
